Last year's appeal was a tremendous success, with more than 10,000 gifts received and distributed across the state to kids and young people in care.

One of those who saw the appreciation first-hand is Ron Keaton, team leader at a residential care facility in Capalaba run by the Churches of Christ Care Pathways.

Ron was there on Christmas morning when the young people received a games console donated during the 2012 appeal.

He says he was struck by the residents' elation.

"The young people couldn't believe that people are so generous to give such amazing gifts," he said.

"That was something that I'll keep for a long time."

He says playing with the console has brought them happiness throughout the year.

"We engage with them really well around playing games. It's confidence boosting," he said.

"It's quite taken for granted that everyone has access to technology nowadays but that's really not the case.

"A big thankyou to everyone who supports this ... your gifts really do make a difference."

Bringing smiles to kids in care

Bryan Smith, the executive director of Foster Care Queensland, has been a foster parent for about 20 years.

He says that from the perspective of children and young people in care, a present is something extra that's really special.

"Some of these kids who have never experienced Christmas in their lives," he says.

"We've certainly been there, with one of the young people ... who had the very best experience of their life, at 12 years old, to decorate and have a Christmas tree with a gift underneath it. It's hard to actually conceive that at 12 you didn't have that."

Gifts should be new and unwrapped. Please feel free to put on a special note. You don't need to spend a fortune - we are looking for gifts that cost up to $25.

Brisbane listeners can drop their gifts into the ABC offices at South Bank, their local ABC shop, or other donation points in Brisbane and around the state.